Man Shoots Dog Mistaken For Coyote, Faces Charges: Reports

HARWOOD, MD — Police on Thursday accused an Anne Arundel County man of shooting a dog that he thought was a coyote.

Officers identified the suspect as 70-year-old Robert Anthony Harley of Harwood.

Authorities said the complainant reported that her dog, a Belgian Malinois named Maisie, went missing on April 20. She had reason to believe that her dog had been shot.

The Baltimore Banner reported that a widely circulated video showed a man preparing to shoot what he said was a coyote, even though a child in the tape said it was a dog. Maisie's owner, Shannon Smith Wood, told The Banner she saw the video and went to that family's home, but the family told her a coyote chased her dog away.

The Banner said Smith Wood's daughter later learned that the man shot 11-month-old Maisie, not a coyote. The Banner reported that Smith Wood told the family she wouldn't press charges if they returned Maisie's body, but they said her remains were already gone.

"If it's a coyote and you're scared, call 911. This should never happen," Smith Wood told The Banner. "Maisie is the most friendly dog. She would've came to them. Even if they put their hand out the window, she would've came and licked them."

The Anne Arundel County Police Department's Southern District Detective Unit assumed responsibility for the investigation.

Detectives said they positively identified the suspect who shot Maisie and consulted with the Anne Arundel County State's Attorney's Office.

Officers said Harley was charged Thursday on a criminal summons with animal cruelty-related charges.

Maisie's remains still haven't been found.

Although charges have been filed, authorities asked anyone who knows any details or the whereabouts of Maisie's remains to call 410-222-1960. Tipsters can stay anonymous by dialing 410-222-4700.

To learn more about the case, read The Banner's story.